Kunle ADELABU & Uthman AGBOOLA (SIWES Student)
-To confer Ayangbure with Grand Patron on Sunday
Ikorodu All Stars Football Organization, on Thursday, October 25, 2018, received royal blessings from His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Adegorushen V, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu and the Vice Chairman, Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs, for its 30 years anniversary celebration.
Members of the organization had visited the revered monarch in his palace in Ikorodu as part of week-long programmes scheduled for the landmark celebration.
Mr Lanre Olabinjo, the President of the organization, stated that the All Stars Football Organization is an association of retired but not tired footballers in Ikorodu.
“Our organization is made up of former national league players, ex-internationals and other players in Ikorodu. Although, we have since retired from active football but we are not tired. We still meet every weekend.
” We have players who had played at local and international levels among us. There are also former players that are now coaches and sports administrators and others.
“The organization was established 30 years ago when many of us were still very young, except people like Moses Kpakor, Abiodun Dagama and other senior members. Today, we are thanking God for His mercies which is why we are celebrating the 30 years of the organisation’s existence.
Olabinjo, who stated that the anniversary celebration started on Sunday, October, with a special thanksgiving service at the Methodist Church, Ita-Elewa, added that they were at the Ayangbure’s palace to get royal blessings.
“The anniversary celebration actually started on Sunday with a thanksgiving service and today, we are here to get royal blessings. We deemed it fit to include visitation to His Royal Majesty, Oba Shotobi, in our programmes for the celebration because of the importance we attached to tradition and royalty and we are appreciative that you have accepted us.
“Our organization has about 120 members with four teams namely Ayangbure, Ikorodu Chairman, Member of House of Representatives and Member of the House of Assembly.
“Today, we have Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, Hon. Babajimi Benson and Hon. Sanai Agunbiade as patrons of three of those four teams , while your very self is the patron of the team dedicated to the stool of your ancestors. We are appreciative of the supports being given to us by all these people including your Majesty sir.
“We shall be having the grand finale of our anniversary celebration at the Ikorodu Town hall this coming Sunday when we shall also be conferring the position of our grand patron on your majesty as a mark of honour and appreciation of your supports and your developmental efforts in Ikorodu community.
In his response, Oba Shotobi rejoiced with the members of the organization on the occasion of their 30 years anniversary.
“I join you in rejoicing on the occasion of your organization’s 30 years anniversary. You have every reason to rejoice because there are many associations formed at same time which are no more today, but your own case is not like that.
“I thank God for your life because many of you are still very agile and active despite your age. This is because you are good sportsmen. You are truly sportsmen and you have looked after your body very well”.
He pledged his continuous support for the organization and wished them many more years of successful existence.
“I will continue to support your association because I have seen that your members are responsible and because of the importance of your organization in the community. I pray and wish you many more years of successful existence”.
Prayers were also offered for the organization in Christian, Muslim and traditional ways while Oba Shotobi capped it with royal blessings.
Also as part of the activities marking the anniversary, the organization would be visiting the Ikorodu Central mosque on Friday (today) for a special Jumat prayer while a day football fiesta has also been scheduled for Saturday, October 27, at String Towers Academy.
